As NJ Transit riders suffer, the execs that run it get big raises

When NJ Transit’s top executives got a title change to “vice presidents” of their various departments in June, it came with more than just a name change.

They got a boost in their paychecks, too.

The title changes were announced in June by NJ Transit CEO and President Kevin Corbett, who said the change “simplifies the executive organizational structure” to resemble a corporate model. He didn’t mention the raises at the time.

The executive restructuring was recommended in the October results of an audit ordered by Gov. Phil Murphy in Jan. 2018. They took effect on May 20, Corbett said. That audit recommended raises to retain employees and stay competitive with other commuter railroads.

Corbett’s title changed from “executive director” but he didn’t receive a raise. Neither did Raymond Kenny, senior vice president and general manager of rail operations, who was hired in January at a salary of $225,000.

Michael Kilcoyne, senior vice president of surface transportation and bus operations, saw his salary increase from $188,000 to $225,000, bringing him to the same level as the head of rail operations.

Eric Daleo, senior vice president of capital programs, from $175,000 to $188,000

Justin Davis, chief of staff, from $156,000 to $188,000

Brian Lapp, system safety officer, $168,135 to $188,000

NJ Globe first reported the raises. NJ Advance Media obtained the new salary information from NJ Transit in response to questions posed on July 18. According to agency salary records, it was the first increase for some since 2017.

The raises may not come at the best time for the agency, which is being criticized by commuters for canceled and delayed buses and trains, and overcrowding riders have to endure as a result.

“The new structure, which reduced the total number of senior staff positions and saves money, is similar to peer agencies throughout the region,” said Nancy Snyder, an NJ Transit spokeswoman. “All salary adjustments were funded by the elimination of a number of positions.”

Five positions were eliminated, saving $474,880 in salaries, Snyder said. The total for the eight raises comes to $194,000. One of the eliminated positions -- the Chief of Policy and Strategic Planning that was created for Gov. Chris Christie’s former spokesmen Michael Drewniak -- saved $147,000.